Holiday Heroes
Author: Rachel Lee and Catherine Mann
Copyright: 2007 (241 pages)
Series: Silhouette Romantic Suspense (#1487)
Sensuality: Warm
Violence: Some shooting
Nearly my entire life has been spent around the military, so I’m always a little leery of stories that center around the Armed Forces. I’m always afraid that the author will make a mistake, something that I just know to be wrong, and I won’t be able to get over it enough to enjoy the story. I’m sure this happens with other professions — a lay person may not realize the goof, but readers with a background in the subject will pick up on it. I figured I was safe, with a book of short stories featuring a Marine and an Air Force general. After all, my background is Army. There are differences between the services.
“A Soldier For All Seasons” by Rachel Lee
Jon Erikson, a Marine on R&R from Afghanistan, meets park ranger Melinda Hawthorne. She remembers him from high school, him being a few years older, and she had a school girl crush on him. Neither is looking for an attachment. Jon is just looking for some peace and solitude before he goes back overseas, so he decides to camp out. Melinda hasn’t been comfortable around people since a traumatic event in her life, so she’s more than happy to be up at the ranger station by herself. Yet, they form a bond during a snow storm and tell each other their inner demons. It’s a sweet, romantic story of two lonely people making a connection. I enjoyed it very much.
“Christmas At His Command” by Catherine Mann
The premise of the story: Senator Ginger Landis is presenting a family heirloom during a rebuilt medieval church dedication and General Hank Renshaw is responsible for her safety. I just couldn’t get into it. The author’s writing style doesn’t appeal to me, so I just skimmed through to find out the who and why behind the death threats.
Started: 14 December 2007
Finished: 17 December 2007
Rating:
Enjoyed it!
It’s a Wonderful Christmas
Author: Jasmine Cresswell, Colleen Collins, Kathleen Long
Copyright: 2007 (344 pages)
Series: Harlequin Special Release
Sensuality: Kisses
Violence: None
An anthology of three stories, each based on a popular Christmas-themed story: A Christmas Carol, Miracle on 34th Street, and It’s a Wonderful Life. Of the original stories, I’m least familiar with Miracle on 34th Street. However, this didn’t detract from my enjoyment of Colleen’s story. Besides the theme of retelling a Christmas classic, the stories had something else in common: three of the main protagonists are employed in the same profession as their fathers, all who had died rather suddenly. Two of the stories are set in modern-day New Jersey and feature protagonists getting a second chance with the person they love. Kathleen Long is the only author that I’ve read before.
“An American Carol” by Jasmine Cresswell
Summary: A New Jersey businessman, Charles D. Brentwood — a descendant of Dickens — finds himself living his famous ancestor’s novel.
Comments: I thought the author did an excellent job, given the format, depicting the transformation of Charles from the miserly businessman back into the man he was before his father died. Charles’s mother, and his relationship with her, could have been fleshed out more, since it was so important to how and why Charles became such a cold and unfeeling person. The author gave Gloria, the under appreciated assistant, more modern worries: illegal alien parents afraid of deportation. Since her parents are illegals, they have no health insurance. And because Charles is such a miser, there is no company health plan.
“Miracle on Bannock Street” by Colleen Collins
Summary: Private investigator Stella Gray, star witness in “Santa Claus”‘s mental competence hearing, is given temporary custody of a troubled boy who is facing being sent to a juvenile facility. Though it seems that Stella enjoys her work, she misses the connection of family, especially once Bobby comes into her life.
Comments: Because of the flexible story line of the original, Miracle can be adapted to any time and place. The author set her story in 1955 Denver, and I think it works well for the story. The ending is a bit corny, but it’s a Christmas story — it’s expected. 
“It’s a Wonderful Night” by Kathleen Long
Summary: Dr. Merri Downey wishes she left Dodge behind her for good, when she had the chance. Matt Riley wishes that too, and is doing what he can to make her go away. Both are shown what would have happened to their lives, and the people of Dodge, had things gone differently.
Comments: This was my favorite. Because of the format, major adjustments had to be made for this adaptation to work. I liked that both Merri and Matt had to see the difference Merri made in everyone’s life. Merri wanted out of Dodge because she didn’t think she could do great things there. Matt, who resented Merri choosing medical school and leaving Dodge over him, still held a grudge against her and never fully appreciated what Merri did for the town. They both make the wish that she had left for good after her father’s funeral. In the end, Merri realizes she is doing great things, and Matt finally lets go of his resentment to see that he still loves Merri. Great read.
Started: 30 November 2007
Finished: 14 December 2007
Enjoyed it!
Rating:
